CSRD reporting: What does it mean to you?

With the introduction of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), companies in the Norwegian construction industry will have to rethink how they handle and report their environmental and social impact. Although the initial requirements target large companies, CSRD will have ripple effects throughout the entire construction value chain, including manufacturers and suppliers of building materials.

Why is CSRD important for the construction industry?

The aim of CSRD is to increase transparency and accountability in corporate sustainability efforts within the EU. The directive aligns with larger initiatives such as the European Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). CSRD’s principle of double materiality means that companies must report both on how external factors like climate change affect their business and how their activities impact the environment and society. This is particularly relevant for the construction industry, where the sustainability of materials can significantly influence a project’s overall environmental footprint.

For Norwegian construction companies, CSRD signals a stronger focus on sustainability across all stages of the value chain, especially for manufacturers and suppliers. While large enterprises are the first to be affected, smaller companies will soon feel pressure from contractors who are legally obliged to report their sustainability efforts. Therefore, manufacturers must be prepared to provide the necessary data, particularly Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which will be key in sustainability reporting for larger clients.

Offering more opportunities

CSRD also presents opportunities for manufacturers and should not be viewed as just another reporting burden. It offers the chance to position themselves as leaders in sustainability. By providing accurate and transparent data, manufacturers can meet the increasing demands of contractors and customers while enhancing their own brand.

Those who can deliver detailed sustainability data will become preferred partners for large construction firms that must comply with their reporting obligations under the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). As demand grows, manufacturers offering CSRD-compliant product data will be better positioned to secure long-term partnerships.

How CSRD connects with the circular economy and sustainability goals

CSRD supports several EU initiatives that promote sustainable business practices. It mandates transparency around environmental impact, which is closely linked to the Circular Economy Action Plan. For manufacturers, this means focusing not only on producing sustainable products but also ensuring that products can be reused or recycled at the end of their lifecycle. Given that the construction sector accounts for a significant portion of the world’s resource use and waste, CSRD provides a mechanism to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint and contribute to the goal of climate neutrality.

How Cobuilder solutions can help

Although CSRD presents a significant challenge, it also offers a clear opportunity to improve processes through digitalisation and better data management. Cobuilder offers solutions that help both manufacturers and contractors navigate this transition.

Cobuilder Supply serves as a central repository for manufacturers’ product data, offering a platform for storing and distributing key digital information such as EPDs that comply with CSRD and ESRS standards. This solution allows manufacturers to share data with contractors and other stakeholders in a structured and efficient way, simplifying their reporting obligations.

Cobuilder Collaborate is a tool that gathers all the products you purchase and use on projects and collects all the necessary documentation and data in accordance with legal and market requirements. It now also provides information for CSRD reporting, including the part of the reporting that concerns ESRS E1-E5. This helps contractors with their sustainability reporting by using reliable and accurate data from their suppliers. Since contractors depend on manufacturers for verified sustainability information about products, having easy access to this data will be invaluable.

The future of sustainable construction

For the construction industry, CSRD brings both challenges and opportunities. The demand for transparency is increasing and companies that can provide detailed, accurate sustainability data will stand out. By preparing early and adopting Cobuilder’s tools, manufacturers can ensure they are ready to meet CSRD’s requirements and play a key role in driving the industry’s sustainable future.

In the years to come, those who invest in sustainability now—whether through better data management, the development of sustainable products, or improved collaboration with partners—will be the ones who succeed in a changing market.

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